How can you make sure this inevitable milestone doesn’t turn into a bedtime disaster?
There is no ‘right time’ to make the transition, however I generally recommend delaying the process for as long as possible. Ideally between 2.5 - 3 years usually works best. By this age your child will have either dropped their nap altogether or are having a short one.
No matter what age your little one is, as soon as the cot bars are removed they'll no doubt take great delight in their new found freedom. Be prepared for your child to escape their bedroom and test the boundaries by wandering into your room in the middle of the night. If you don't want this to develop into a habit, guide them straight back to bed with minimal fuss and attention. The least attention you give and the more consistent you are the quicker the novelty will wear off. However be prepared for at least 20 returns on the first night.
If you have a persistent 'escape artist' It might be advisable to use a stair gate across their bedroom door to prevent them escaping undetected. If you use a gate, keep their bedroom door open so they don't feel locked in or trapped and be prepared for things to be thrown over the gate. Don't worry this is perfectly normal and won't last long. If early rising creeps in, use a sleep trainer clock to help teach your child to stay in bed for longer.
If you need the cot for a new baby, try and transition your toddler into a bed at least 6-8 weeks before the baby arrives. If you have a particularly small age gap (under 2 years) try and borrow a cot if you can so you can delay the process for as long as possible. Having to deal with a newborn baby and a roaming toddler in the middle of the night won't be much fun.
Try and involve your child in the process as much as possible, perhaps get them to choose some new bedding or a soft toy. If possible put the bed in the same place as the old cot and avoid leaving the cot up as this will add confusion and encourage them to flit between the two.
If your child can climb out of the cot and it's at its lowest setting, you'll need to either remove the side of the cot or move them into a bed for safety reasons. *Consider using a sleep sack instead of blankets to make it harder for them to climb out.
Yes, for the first few months it's a good idea to use a bed guard or rail to stop your child falling out of bed. Try a rolled up blanket underneath your child's fitted sheet to create a wedge to stop falls.
If your child has been used to sleeping in a sleep sack they may find it tricky sleeping with a pillow and duvet to start with. Perhaps try a sleep suit for a few weeks to avoid them getting cold if they wriggle out of the duvet.
Top tip*Try and hold off making the transition to a bed until your toddler has dropped their day nap altogether. If your child is under tired at bedtime (due to having too much day sleep) they are far more likely to use stalling tactics, and test the boundaries.
If you need extra support and advice in conquering this milestone why not book in for a 30 minute EXPRESS phone call and get the best possible support and advice needed to making the transition a smooth one.
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